'Amazing Grazing' by Cris Peterson Book Review

'Amazing Grazing' by Cris Peterson is a straightforward book on farms and agriculture which makes it more of a text book than anything else. The larger issue

 with this book is that the subject is kind of dry and so the book is as well meaning that your child will not be inspired by what they read. 

You have to look at it this way, if this were a book on rockets kids who love rockets would eat it up. Not every kid loves rockets so they have to be invested before they start reading. However this is a book about farms and more kids love rockets than farms. 

For what this is it is competently written it's just not for everyone. 

Who should read this book? Kids who love farms. 

Books read: 212 of 5,000

'Up Close and Gross: Gross Body Invaders' by Ruth Owen Book Review

'Up Close and Gross: Gross Body Invaders' by Ruth Owen is a

book about all the creepy crawlies that can live on your body. There are fleas and ticks, mites and microbes. This is the book of my nightmares full of monsters that eat people like me.

I have to admit that as I'm a man who works with the homeless this is a book about my worst fears. Still, if your kid is into this kind of thing it will have them mesmerized.  

Who should read this book? Folks into the gross.

Books read: 211 of 5,000

'Let's Talk About Gossiping' by Joy Berry Book Review

'Let's Talk About Gossiping' by Joy Berry is a developmental book

that helps children understand honesty. It's one of many in the 'Let's Talk About' books, and where it is not the best of them it is still an interesting and worth wile read. 

I find the words to be honest, the art to be fun, and the books to be enriching. I wish my school had these books when I was growing up. 

Who should read this book? Everyone.

Books read: 210 of 5,000

'Life's Little Instruction Book' By H Jackson Brown Jr. Book Review

Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life By H Jackson

Brown Jr. is a book containing all kinds of basic information and sayings about life. 

There is nothing all that new in this book, but it is a fun little read. I particularity like the part where it instructs people to adopt more than one cat. I myself have six of the little monsters, and it makes my life just that more complete. In addition, this book is the kind where you can pick it up and read any page and get what you are meant to get out of it. There is no need to sit down and read the whole book, but you can still do so in about a half hour with no trouble. 

Who should read this book? Anyone

Books read: 209 of 5000

"Mommy's Little Star" by Janet Bingham

"Mommy's Little Star" by Janet Bingham is a story about things

you find in the sky. The story is told by two foxes a mother and child. The child learns about the world from the mother as we take a journey higher and higher into the sky. 

This is a great bedtime story featuring rich images that bring joy, but don't over stimulate.

Who should read this book?
Everyone

Books read:  208 of 5000

Animals are Fun: Frogs by Steve Panish

'Animals are Fun: Frogs' by Steve Panish is a focused simple book

about frogs for children. If your children have no knowledge of frogs then this is the book for them. It does not delve into amphibians and other things of that nature but just gives children a little about frogs for them to build on later in life. 

Is this a great book? No, its a solid learning experience with lots of fun pictures. 

Who should read this book? Very young children. 

Books read: 207 of 5000

Internet Archive

15^th October 2016

Dear Internet Archive,

I take something of an interest in your posting for a book digitizer. I’ll grant you my work in security is out of left field for what you’re looking for, but a Security Officer is professionally patient. I can lift more than 100 pounds and have had a great deal of experience with scanners and digital photography.  I currently use a Canon 60D.

I do have a degree in Psychology and I understand the need to keep my research materials clean and understandable. I have worked jobs were my actions save lives and I imagine that the books aren’t going to come in under the influence of drugs or do anything nasty. Compared to what I do this is an easy job.

You have a safe day,

Richard Leland Neal

Let's Talk About Showing Off by Joy Berry

'Let's Talk About Showing Off' by Joy Berry is a book designed to

teach children how to act in company. This is a book that talks about equality and treating others with respect. I found this book to have a good deal of wisdom that common folk should know but so many of us Americans have forgotten. 

It was a fun book with child like art work and simple ideas that had so much that children need in this me me me world. I have to say I really liked this book. 

Who should read this book? Everyone.

Books read: 206 of 5000

Hard Duty

19^th October 2016

My Dear friends at (Company) Security,

I’m a Security Officer with eighteen years of experience who has seen some of the hardest duty an unarmed person can have in the field. I learned that my big problem is that I express myself in a professional way, and that professionalism is not conducive to success with the companies I worked with.

With my last company I arrived on post to find guards out of uniform and sleeping in their car.  When I reported this I was told “Mind your own business”. Likewise, at the company before that I reported a fire door blocked and they said that it wasn’t an issue because the “Fire Marshal hadn’t been by”.

I take my job seriously as a Security Officer but I’ve worked at companies that feel that any guard is a good guard, but that means that the man who does his job well makes others look bad.

I’m a professional Security Officer and I need to work for a professional company.

I’m hoping this is one,

Richard Leland Neal

Disney's Winnie the Pooh: Make the Best of it 'Lessons from the Hundred Acre Wood'

Disney's Winnie the Pooh: Make the Best of it 'Lessons from the

Hundred Acre Wood' has a name so long that I want to scream and go take a nap every time I try to write a review.

This is the story of Piglet as he prepares for an acorn muffin party with his friends. Things don't go his way and the unfortunate little pig needs to selvage things. 

To be clear, there is nothing here that you haven't seen before, but it's a story that gives kids a reason to read. What more can you really ask from a book. 

All and all, strong read. 

Who should read this book Poo Bear fans. 

Books read: 205 of 5000

Hat in the Ring

26^th October 2016

Hello there Folks,

I saw your Craig’s List ad and figured that I should throw my hat in. As I’m sure you can tell from my Resume I’m a Security Officer by trade, but I have an interest in film and theater. I took a good many theater and film units in college and I presently have a BA in Psychology. My highest grade in school was an A+ in screenwriting.

In (Jr. College) and (University) I worked in the scene shop as a student carpenter. I’ve used a boom mic on shoots as well as DSLR cameras. In short I’m more the fellow who is good to have around when you’re filming because I deal with problems.

I’ve been on work sites where I was the go to guy for problem solving, computer acting up, they call me, toilet won’t stop flushing, they call me, can’t get a door to shut, they call me. So I’m sure you can find a place where I’d be a good fit for your company.

If all else fails at some point you’re going to need a Security Guard and I’ve got eighteen years of experience in the field.

Best,

Richard Leland Neal

"The Sun, the Wind and the Rain" by Westberg Peters book review

"The Sun, the Wind and the Rain" by Westberg Peters is the story

of two mountains. One was made by the earth and the other by a little girl playing on the beach. The story of the first mountain is that of millions of years. It is the story of magma and the powers of the earth. The second mountain is that of sand made by a little girl and as permanent as any mound on the beach. 









This is a great story the shows the power of nature and the impermanence of humanity in the wake of it's majesty. 


Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 204 of 5000

"A Good Day" by Kevin Henkes

"A Good Day" by Kevin Henkes is four stories about four critters

who's days start out bad, but then they turn them around. This is a fun little story that reinforces to children that just because your day starts bad doesn't mean that it will end that way. 

Being a children's book there is not much to say about it, but it was a good read with fun pictures. 

Who should read this book?
Anyone.

Books read: 203 of 5000

A Few Points to a Publisher

January 14^th 2015

Just a few points, (owner of Publishing House), from a man who has been part of your social media group as an author, been rejected, and has nothing to gain or lose from giving his opinion. 

The idea of a social media website for readers to read books and choose those to publish is a noble one. I commend you for taking such a risk. The problem remains at this time that you simply have too few book reviews to honestly determine the viability of any one book.

Before you pulled my work from your site it had two official reviews and two ‘unofficial reviews’ as your fellow (Publisher Employee) described the comments. I, the author, am left with some sparse ideas on how to improve my work, and that quashes any means of my returning to your company to publish a new draft.

Now some authors will be unhappy with anything but publication, but some of us will be happy with a better understanding of our work. You want authors to send you new drafts. You want them to feel like they are better for experiencing how you do business. The last thing you want is for an author to go to another company and then do well, because that means you missed out on a profitable contract.

One idea, and maybe not a great one, would be to recruit unpaid college interns to review books. English students often have an internship requirement for graduation, they know something about books, and would be happy to telecommute.  These interns would be required to read the whole book and write a solid and professional review.

What this would do for your community would be to increase the number and quality of your reviews. It would also get the word out to perspective authors in English writing communities and bring more reading enthusiasts to your company. 

Another idea would be to add a step to publication. This would be a ‘would you like to read more’ section like your first fifteen forum. Both unofficial reviews of my book and one of the official ones read only a small part near the beginning.  Unfortunately, there were too few reviews to see a consistent pattern of what was wrong.

If I were to take this small section and place it on your site with a simple thumb up thumb down review and a minimum of ten reviews a pattern should start to emerge by that point. Then I would be able to say what was wrong with my work with some confidence.  In fifteen to thirty pages an author will express stylistic choices and in those pages a reader can find and mention what they dislike. Too many thumbs down will mean rewrite and resubmit, enough thumbs up will mean that the rest of the manuscript will be posted.

What this could do for your community would be to increase the number of reviews and interaction with authors. It would save time with books that just need more work, and give the author a path to come back.

One thing you may wish to think about is to put ads on your site. If you need to pay for it then it can do some paying for itself. You’re already involved in advertising on your site when you send out group requests for published books. If you’re going to advertise for your own company then you can advertise for other companies and offset the cost of operations.

Another point, I believe an author interacting with reviewers is a good thing, but I believe an author shouldn’t review when his work is up for review. It will always be in the back of my mind that (Publisher Employee) gave me a hard time, because I gave him a negative review. This probably isn’t true. He just gave me an honest review, and I’m unhappy with what he said, but that thought will stay with me. You may want to think about having author accounts that expire if a book isn’t picked up and reader accounts that expire after they have been inactive for long enough.

Finally, a rejection letter thanking the author for their interest, apologizing for their rejection, and summarizing how they can improve their work would only be polite. The author is a customer just like someone who buys a book and the service you provide them is to screen their work for profitability. I would never want my book published if it wouldn’t do well, so you’re providing a superior service compared to competitors. A letter making it clear to the author that there is hope would go a long way to clarifying that fact.

Those are my two cents. Forty nine more of these and you have a dollar.

Richard Leland Neal

"The Tooth Book" by Theo LeSieg Book Review

"The Tooth Book" by Theo LeSieg is a book written by but not

illustrated by Dr. Seuss who went by LeSieg whenever he wrote but failed to illustrate a book. This book is full of what look to me like nightmare images of people with oversized teeth. Then, I've worked in places where you just may get bit by a client so teeth are a big thing for me. Hopefully children who read this book don't have the same phobia. 

Past that, this is a fun little book that tells you to take care of your teeth. It's not the best of Seuss but then Seuss is the best of authors. So, it's still a good book.

Who should read this book: Everyone.

Books read: 202 of 5000

Battled Bepression

By the fact that this letter has no name at it's end I can tell I never finished it. Well, I was depressed. 

In any case, I hope what is there makes good reading. 

6^th March 2014

Dear Mr. (YouTuber),

It was the fifth of March that you asked your audience, of which I am one, to tell you the stories of their depression. I have battled depression for the whole of my life, and so the story of my depression cannot be held in a comment. So long a story needs thought and introspection notwithstanding the need of all things done by the depressed: time.

My depression found its start in the rough handling I received in tender youth. The youngest of three children in an unsupervised home my older siblings would unite against me as a force of violence and so I would fight until exhaustion against them. This prompted my mother to send my older (sibling) to live with other family members for a summer, but it did little good as (they) had to come back for the school year.

These beatings of youth left me with what is called transient brain damage as a result of trauma to the back of my head. I struggled to read and struggled to write because of this problem, and even now I would be unable to write this letter coherently without a program that reads my work back to me as the written word and I simply do not get along.

My depression worsened with my mother’s second relapse of cancer. She fought the disease for as long as she could but lost and died a week after my tenth birthday. My father was what one may call an absentee parent. He would arrive at my residence on Friday night and leave Sunday evening, and so I would see him for the weekend. This left the home in the care of my older (sibling) who, mentally ill and violent, ruled by needless force.

At the time, in wake and sleep my life was a nightmare. In my waking times I stood silent looking after myself and staying away from siblings as best I could. I often had dreams where my hands were cut off, and I learned in college this is symbolic of the feeling of helplessness.  

By age fourteen my depression had reached its height, and I could hardly lift my hands. I had medical insurance, but my father refused to take me to see a psychiatrist. Why I cannot with certainty say, but he would always dismiss my maladies with “it’s all in your head” or “You’re a hypochondriac”.

For much of my high school years I felt like a piece of dead meat with a soul trapped within. There were times I would sit in bed unable to sleep but unable to stand as if a prisoner in my own flesh. Every morning I would vomit, I’m not sure why, before or when I got to school.

I made it past high school and suffered with depression my whole life finding what friends I made of little help. I learned in psychology that the abusers find the abused and that many of us accept abuse as we think it to be normal. I was twenty nine when I walked away from the abusive people in my life, and I still have trouble making friends often due to my condition. I take medication, and I live with my problem but there is little hope of recovery.

The one great silver lining to my condition is that I can relate to my clients as I work with the homeless population of Los Angeles. Many of them lived a life as sad or worse than my own. They find in me a listening ear and accepting mind a comfort. 

"Don't Grown-Ups Ever Have FUN?" by Jamie Harper

"Don't Grown-Ups Ever Have FUN?" by Jamie Harper is a book I

had trouble reading the title to. I think I read it as 'Don't grow up, Have fun!' in the video. 

In any case, this is a book written from the perspective of a child observing their parents working. It's a fun story with engaging pictures and child friendly themes. Overall, it's not stellar but not bad.  

Who should read this book? Anyone.

Books read 201 of 5000

Sympathetic Villains and the Good Idea Fairy

20^th August 2016

Hay (Person),

After looking at your comments from the other day I’m starting to wonder what it is you intend to do with my script. If the intent is to sell the property then what you’re selling is the overall concept, and the changes you suggested really are a poor fit for that goal.

If a contract had been signed and a director then felt that the villains were too sympathetic then not only would I need to make that change, but I’d get paid to make that change. The other alternative is that they hire a script doctor to make changes, and I have no creative control. Regardless, this change would not alter your pitch for the script and that’s what’s important.

Normally a sympathetic villain is considered a good thing for a script. The audience needs a strong reason to stay invested in the characters on screen. Sympathy for a villain that you clearly want to lose is very powerful.  Removing that will have a negative impact on the work.

If there is one thing that can kill a good script it’s more good ideas. In the United States Army they call this the “Good Idea Fairy”. You’re making cookies and you get the idea to add walnuts. Now that’s a good idea. Then comes along the “Good Idea Fairy” and tells you to add raisins. Well, that’s a good idea too. Then that good old Fairy says “how about some nutmeg?” Not a bad thing either. The only problem is that if you add as many good ideas as you can think of you wind up with cookies that taste like everything and nothing all at once.

Now I’ve gone over the script hundreds of times and I wrote it in a class with a professional screenwriter. It’s rather tight and adding anything needs to be taken with the idea of adding action without taking any away. I’d say the first half of the script is kind of slow, and I’d add action to that if I could, but there is no more room for exposition.

The origin of the “Walker” or “Grass Man” is a point best left for a sequel as well as the larger evil controlling the villains. For that matter, it should be understood that Karl is at the end of his strength by the time this is over, and I have written ideas for a sequel that point to him having been in a coma for a few days after this event.

His powers are somewhat new to him and the need to have them is where they come from. Thus a well thought-out battle will definitely fight the action of the script.

At the end of the day you need to remember that you’re some fellow who hasn’t given me his real name with a nebulas goal for my work.  If your goal isn’t to get this script sold and in production than this isn’t worth the time.

Honestly,

Richard Leland Neal

"In a People House" by Theo LeSieg

"In a People House" by Dr. Seuss is the story of a rodent and a bird

who adventure into a human habitation to explore the things humans have. This is a learning book for children who will read this book and get examples of what humans have in their home. Very young children may learn the names of basic object from reading this book.

However, this is not the artwork of Dr. Seuss and is written under his other pen name, Theo LeSieg, with illustrations by Roy McKie. 

Who should read this book? Children who need to learn basic object names. 

Books read 200 of 5000

"I See a Sign" by Lars Klove Book Review

"I See a Sign" by Lars Klove is a book about the outside world

designed to teach children about signs. Not just street signs, but signs at stores and repair shops. 

I have to admit that the information in this book came very naturally to me so the this book would have only served to better my reading abilities as a child. Still, even as an adult I did find it interesting to look at something around me every day that I had not thought much about. 

Where as I admit this book is not for everyone I do have to point out that it has to be for someone because it's lasted at the library so long. 

Who should read this book: Young children who don't get out much, artists who don't get out much, and parents.

Books read: 199 of 5000

Writing Like Life

I got this as a reply to a forum post on a now defunct publishers webpage. I wish I could find out what I said to this person, but that is lost in time. I hope you all like it. 

Forum reply from unknown author:

I just recently noticed you replied to my post, so my apologies for the length of time in between. Your response made me smile. The thing is, this hasn’t been an easy road to publication, but it has been an interesting one. I have worked my way through multiple review sites with my manuscript (Book Country, Critique Circle, Scribophile, etc.) before it was ready to be read by another human being, let alone read by a potential publisher. The general public, or at least the members of it willing to read my work, have been the greatest help to me. Everyone noticed something different, good and bad, about my manuscript, and helped me to develop my skills as a writer. Once I determined the critique material was valid, I made my way into doing research on the specific topics, essentially studying until I understood the material, and then moved on to writing and re-writing where needed. I’ve been through everything from proper comma placement to the intricacies of emotional expression in writing, with volumes in between. I go about my writing with no expectations…but as long as I’m writing, I have hope. I write because I love it, because it makes me happy (and frustrated, and sad, and overjoyed). I don’t know if ‘fight’ is the right term for me, but I think if someone wants it, if they want to work toward publication, it involves continual effort to learn and grow as a writer. They must be open to criticism and praise, all while maintaining a solid core of belief in themselves. I’ve been turned down by agents, I’ve been turned down by publishers, and I think much if it had to do with the fact that I simply hadn’t done enough work. Rejections never kept me down very long (at least not for more than a day), because I just dusted myself off and started writing again. I believe editors have a vital role in the success of the author, but the biggest role is played by the author themselves.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss

"And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" by Dr. Seuss

is the story of a boy who invents great sights to tell stories to his father. This is a book with human figures and fantastic beasts with images that can only be Seuss. 

 

But still this is a cautionary tail about the truth and how important it is. It's a book that tells people that making up stories will not necessarily get you what you want. 

 

 Who should read this book? Everyone. 

 

 Books read: 198 of 5000

If it isn't on Paper

26^th October 2016

My Dear (health related employer),

I have a BA in Psychology from CSU Fullerton and have spend four years of my life working with the homeless population of Hollywood and where as you may think this experience is irrelevant to your work I can assure you that it is very similar. I most often dealt with cannabis but other drugs were common issues at this work.

It was considered very important to document activities and problem behaviors on the part of clients. There were Case Managers at my facility that in a span of ninety days would get notes from no other person than myself. I will admit that I have been accused of over documenting, but that is only because I believe the work is so important.  Further, I believe that if it is not on paper than it did not happen so I write everything that happens down.

I’ve talked clients down from suicide, watched over clients experiencing withdrawal, and called for medical aid in dealing with clients who have overdosed. In addition, I’ve spend my whole life working with a mentally disabled member of my family.    

What you get with me is a man who can stand high pressure situations. People have been entrusting me with their lives for nearly two decades now in the field of security and I never let them down.

Best,

Richard Leland Neal

Would You Rather be a Bullfrog? by Theo LeSieg

"Would You Rather be a Bullfrog?" by Theo LeSieg is a book

written but not illustrated by Dr. Seuss. Seuss wrote under the name LeSieg whenever he didn't illustrate his work.  

In any case, this is a book that teaches children the names of  objects or animals like hens and bullfrogs. It's a learning book for the folks who are still getting words into their heads. 

It's not a need to read, but it is a fun little book.

Who should read this book? Anyone

Books read:  197 of 5000

Detoxification Technician - Cover Letter

15^th October 2016

Dear Folks,

I take interest in your post for a Detoxification Technician as I have a degree in Psychology and four years of experience working with the homeless population of Los Angeles. In this employment I often worked with clients with drug issues and had to supervise them during the withdrawal phase of their substance use.   

I’m very familiar with searching client’s belongings, but the bulk of the drug paraphernalia I have confiscated and destroyed has been cannabis related. I’ve worked closely with Police Officers, Assisted Paramedics, and written reports regarding all manner of odd subjects when on duty.

I have learned through education that all healthy relationships, client and caregiver included, start with a standpoint of mutual respect. I then applied this idea in the workplace and know how well it fits recovery.

I believe that I can be a real asset to your team,

Richard Leland Neal  

"Elephant Seals" by Sylvia A. Johnson

"Elephant Seals" by Sylvia A. Johnson is a book about the large

pinnipeds. Like most textbooks in this area this one talks about the environment and conservation as well as history and biology. I had no idea the that elephant seal was at one time hunted for oil.

In any case, I didn't know as much about these animals as I thought, and I found this book to be an interesting  look into these critters. 

Who should read this book? Those who want to know about Elephant Seals. 

Books read: 196 of 5000

"Baby Cakes" by Theo Heras

"Baby Cakes" by Theo Heras is a book about baking cupcakes that

a parent and child can follow along with and make their own cupcakes. The major negative of this is that you are bringing a child into the kitchen which is where we keep the fire and knives. I myself would not attempt this unless you have three adults per child. 

Past that this is a very fun book with images that work well. It can be taken out on holidays for baking or the like. 

Who should read this book? Families that bake together.

Books read: 195 of 5000

Deadlines

7^th December 2016

Mr. (School Official),

If I may express myself neatly, I attended a class entitled “How to Become a Professional Film and TV Writer” and after several hours I felt no closer to that occupation than I was before the class. Further along those lines, the professor of this class was a Hollywood agent and not a writer.  It constitutes a conflict of interest for me as a writer to pay an agent for anything other than selling a script.

I’ll grant you that this was a free class, but before I got in the door I found something was not right with your program. Then I would have to point out that I checked the facts reported in the class and found that some of them were inconsistent with information on IMDB.com. If you want my money I expect the professor to do their homework just like the student. Failing to check facts is like failing to read student work. This would be the very basic requirements for a teacher and your professor came up short.

Then we have your professor telling the class about the most prominent script she had sold. She mentioned that she had been asked for a similar script by other studios and complained to them that they had not wanted that script when she offered it to them. I would expect the professional agent to sell the studios what they want. If you want a car this week and come in next week asking for an SUV the dealer is not going to get huffy and complain about what you asked for last week. They would just be happy to sell you whatever you want.

I could go on about foul language and inappropriate jokes, but let me hit it from another angle. The best advertisement your program can have is success. If I had attended that class and gone on to be a professional writer you would have a clear example of your classes paying off. Further, I would then have the money to invest in more education. In the contrary, if I knew how to look for work as a writer but failed to obtain it, my next question would be ‘why’, leaving the need for more education a possibility.

In short, I wasn’t happy with your program when it was free and now you fail to understand why I’m not paying for your services. If Hollywood were populated with your students and they spoke highly of you things would be different. However, I have no faith in your program as an investment.

I would recommend you contact me when you’ve made major changes to the quality of your education and have another free class for me to examine. In the mean time your extended deadlines only prove to me that classes are going unfilled and that other students have the same skepticism.

Kind regards,

Richard Leland Neal

"Hurray for Today!: All About Holidays" by Bonnie Worth

"Hurray for Today!: All About Holidays" by Bonnie Worth is a

book about holidays and written for the art of Dr. Seuss. This is what one may call a survey text covering a large number of topics rather than going into depth. 

This is a great classroom text that can be pulled out every month and every holiday to provide a quick notes that can be expanded upon. I will admit that it's on the long winded side and not a bad bedtime book.

Who should read this book? Anyone

Books read: 194 of 5000

The Little Black Dog

First of the New Year 2019

Dear Friends,

It is the bitter cold and battering winds that keep me company this morning at work and for those of you who know me well this is a place I am well accustomed to with my long years in the blue uniform. However, even as darkness is the coming set of my mind it comes to me that there have been some happy happenings over the last week and I should relay them to you as a moment of warmth to start the New Year.

On mid Christmas day I stepped out my door to get something from my car and saw a little black dog making his way purposefully down my street to the dead end. This was nothing odd as I had just the day before chased a dog back home. I was thinking of following the little dog when a man turned the corner and asked if I had seen a dog and so I said yes and we both followed the little animal down the street.

This man would later tell me his name was Scott, and the dog was not his at all, but he had been after the little thing for more than an hour. Soon after we reached the end of the street his wife joined us in their jeep, and a few of my neighbors came to box the little dog in. We were right in front of Vince’s house and the old man tried to calm the dog down with some biscuits.

Vince is an old Marine and on this day, as with most, was happy and full of light beer. He leashed his own dog, and his happy Scotty girl showed the little black dog that we were all friends here. The little dog, however, was not impressed and kept us away with some yapping. He took to hiding under Vince’s truck, but we set a perimeter and kept him from running off.  

The little dog made a run for it pointed in the same direction as the end of the street but stopped on the next driveway. He knew he was cornered so he let out his bladder on the ground nervous as a dog should be in these courters. He took refuge in a doorway and was soon wrapped in Scott’s jacket. Scott had gotten the worst of this with the little dog taking a nip out of his thumb.

Vince went and got a harness, and we leashed the dog giving the bleeding Scott the ability to put the little fellow down. Then we cleaned Scott’s thumb and I made some peace with the little dog before Scott’s wife came and gave the animal some water. In twenty minutes we went from a dog bighting one of us to him lapping water out of one of our hands. It was a good moment and old Vince said it was a Christmas story.

Scott figured he would walk the little dog home, and I had him call me on my cell to have my number just in case he needed to get hold of me. Well, a few hours later I got a call telling me that Scott’s cat was having none of this, and the dog would need to sleep over at my house for the night.

In any case, the next morning I took the dog to the vet, and we scanned him for a chip but could find none. I texted the bad news to Scott but he let me know that the dog’s owner had been found, and she was on her way over. The dog happily humped my leg to tell us how happy he was that he would soon be home.

Well, a rather husky woman came to get the dog and the dog was less than impressed. He was more than happy to spend his time with me but Snicker, as we learned the dog was named, went home.

I took old Vince his harness and thanked him with some dark porter for his troubles. It has become a custom with me to share new beers with my drinking friends.

The next morning I was roused and informed that the dog’s owner had given us chocolates and sparkling grape juice as thanks. As for me, I got what I wanted when I saw a lost soul make it home.

Live in this world, friends,

Richard Leland Neal

 

"Dandelion" by Don Freeman Book Review

"Dandelion" by Don Freeman is the story of a lion who gets dolled

up for a party. In doing so he becomes unrecognizable to his friends and less true to himself. This is a book about being who you are with your friends, and that is a solid lesson to learn. 

The bright colors employed in this story make a poor choice for bedtime but not all stories are for bedtime anyway.

Who should read this book? Anyone.

Books read: 193 of 5000